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Lithuanian Easter Bunnies / Netikras zuikis Velykoms

A few days ago I asked my readers on Facebook page what traditional meals Lithuanians eat on Easter. I know that we decorate eggs and always eat on Sunday morning ( usually after Church) with horseradish sauce ( adorable thing!) and there was always Easter bread, which is a bit sweet but goes well with eggs or as a dessert with coffee or tea. But what else? My readers started calling names of some traditional slavic dishes, but then here came this idea for bunny which we call "netikras zuikis" ( fake bunny), which is basically a meatloaf decorated with some bay leaves and peppercorns. This time I made small "bunnies" with turkey, but traditionally it is made of pork or pork and beef mix.

Lithuanian Easter Bunnies

( makes 4 small or 2 large)

What we need:

500g ground turkey meat ( I used thigh meat)

1 onion

2 garlic cloves

4 slices of white bread ( without crust)

100 ml milk

2 large eggs

1 glass of frozen peas

salt and black pepper to taste

1/2 tsp of thyme

1/3 tsp of marjoram

1/3 tsp of oregano

1 tbsp of olive oil

a few bay leaves for "ears" and some peppercorns or peas for "nose" and "eyes"

What we have to do:

Add white bread, milk and eggs into a food processor and pulse to puree. In a large bowl add ground turkey meat, bread and egg puree, then add peeled and finely chopped onion, grated garlic, frozen peas. Season with salt and pepper, add the herbs. Mix it well together.

Preheat the oven up to 180C. Place some parchment on a baking tray.

Divide the meat into 4 parts and shape oval balls. Add bay leaves and pepper corns to make a 'face'. Brush the meat loaves with olive oil. Put the baking tray into the oven and bake for 30-35 minutes until the outside starts to brown. Brush with olive oil after 15 minutes of baking one more time.